Asbestos Diseases

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Mesothelioma

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Mesothelioma is a rare form of asbestos cancer. Victims of mesothelioma have a legal right to financial compensation. Family members of sufferers of mesothelioma who have died from the disease may also be entitled to financial compensation. A specialist solicitor can assess claims over the phone to see if there is a solid case for compensation. There is no charge for these assessments.

70-80% of all patients of mesothelioma can trace a time when they were exposed to asbestos. Experts believe that an even higher percentage of cases are associated with exposure. The disease is very difficult to assess because there is a long period of time, often decades, between the initial exposure and the diagnosis.

Because of this time-lapse compensation claims for mesothelioma can be difficult to prove as the incident or negligence being claimed against may well have taken place many years ago.

This mineral is used to manufacture heat and fire-resistant insulating material which was most heavily used in the UK in the years soon after 1945. It was used in building, ship-building, manufacturing of household appliances, and the motor industry. Even the most minor exposure can cause mesothelioma so cases have occurred in people who have been exposed to the substance on only one occasion.

There are two types of mesothelioma: pleural and peritoneal

Pleural mesothelioma is a tumour of the lining of the lung. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a tumour that grows in the lining of the abdomen.

The pleural form is more common. 70-80% of cases of mesothelioma are pleural. Breathing in the tiny fibres causes pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused when after breathing in these fibres they are coughed up and swallowed.

There are three types of this mineral and the types are named by their colour. Blue and brown are known to cause mesothelioma. The use and production of these was banned in the 1980s and it is also illegal to import them into the UK. Experts now believe the white variety to also be harmful. The use of all asbestos was made illegal in 1999.

Mesothelioma is an extremely difficult form of asbestos cancer to treat because of the location of the tumour. Its closeness to surrounding organs makes it impossible to treat the tumour with strong radiation without damaging vital organs. Some reduction in the disease can be achieved with lower doses of radiation but it has not been proved that this reduction actually increases the patient’s chances of survival.

We are a national network of specialist personal injury solicitors with extensive experience of asbestos related disease compensation claims using the no win no fee scheme. Damages are paid in full with no deductions and our claim service is completely risk free. For free advice just complete the contact form and a member of The Law Society panel of personal injury experts will telephone you with no obligation.